Brandon to land 200 jobs with wind plant

Canadian owner buys buildingto manufacture towers

Apr. 19, 2013

Written by

Dennis Olson

A Canada-based manufacturer has bought the 150,000 square-foot Brandon building planned as a wind tower manufacturing plant from owners who never ended up using it.

The new owner, Marmen Inc., promotes itself as the largest wind tower manufacturer in North America. Marmen plans to hire 200 people at the new plant, according to a company statement issued March 4.

“The jobs are going to be a benefit,” said Dennis Olson, assistant city administrator for Brandon. “I would think (the company) would come in and be one of our top five employers.”

“We certainly don’t have enough people out here to fill all those jobs, so I’m sure it will attract people from around the area,” Olson added. “If they work out here, they’ll end up living here, which means we’ll have a larger need four housing, which will bring an increased need for retail in the area, which will grow our community.”

The Brandon building where the business will locate, which sits on 41 acres in the Corson Development Park on the north side of Interstate 90, never has been occupied.

It was built in 2010 for Tower Tech Systems, a division of Broadwind Energy, but operations were put on hold until the Wisconsin-based company could secure enough contracts for wind towers. That never happened. General Electric backed out of a contract with the company.

“That building has been empty for a while, and it’s nice to finally have it filled,” Olson said. “Everybody is excited we’re getting this building filled. It’s a shame to have had that big of a building just sitting there.”

A statement issued by Marmen last month said the Brandon facility will be used for wind tower manufacturing. The company praised the South Dakota site for its location and transportation costs. This will be the first U.S. facility for Marmen, and the company said it hopes to use it to raise market share in the wind industry.

Operations are planned to start in the fourth quarter of this year. The company has not announced when it will start hiring.

“Nothing has come to Brandon of this magnitude in recent years,” said Kim Cerwick, executive director of the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. “It would be a great economy boost. It would be great for the community.”

John Small, chamber of commerce president, said: “This will have a very positive effect on our community. Any time you can add jobs, it’s a good thing.”